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| Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases | ||||||||||||
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| DM's Notes for Annual Press Conference 13 January 1997 | ||||||||||||
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| Introduction
Ladies and gentlemen of the media. Thank you for coming along today to this Marine Department annual press briefing. I appreciate that at present you are all generally tied up in transitional issues in this the most important year in Hong Kong's history. But I hope you will find matters of public interest in what I have to say, and in our later discussions. Let me outline how I propose we run this briefing. First, I will give you some broad statistics for the year 1996. Then I will briefly discuss the marine issues which, over the last year, have generally been of interest to the public or have been aired in Legco. I will not bore you with a long explanation of all my department's activities. But when I have finished I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. I think a short briefing to set the scene followed by discussion of the issues you want to talk about will be more fruitful than if I set the whole agenda. During the question and answer session. I shall, as far as possible, let my senior directorate staff do the talking. So let me introduce them to you. After question time, which will be run by my PIO Mr Timothy Li, you are all invited to take some refreshments. During that time please feel free to continue to ask any questions you wish on a one to one basis with my staff and I, or arrange specific interviews in Chinese or English. OK so having got the domestic arrangements sorted out lets move on. After setting the scene I intend to briefly mention 5 issues. Marine Accidents, PCWA, the MARAD study, Helping Business initiatives, and finally a few observations on my department's work this year. Broad Statistics/Setting the Scene For the last decade at least, the annual growth in all the main port activity indicators has been substantial, and in some instances almost frightening. The 1996 figures however, as compared to those for 1995, show a different picture to previous years. Container throughput increased just 5.6% in 96 over 95, that is from 12.5 to 13.2 m TEU. This is the lowest growth rate for many a year, although most other major ports in the world would be delighted with such an increase. The number of ocean-going vessels which entered HK in 96 actual fell by 1% from the 95 figure, and together with an increase of 2% in river trade vessel entries, carried 156 m tons of cargo which is the same as the throughput figure for 95. Nevertheless, when all the ocean-going and river trade vessels are added together and averaged over the year, you get 1 vessel entering or leaving HK waters ever 1.2 minutes. And is the case of containers, averaged over the year, 1 TEU is handled every 2.4 seconds. I believe these are very significant statistics that show this port of Hong Kong is thriving. The figures I have just given you are estimates for the year. They are pretty accurate, but we do not yet have the exact figures for Nov & Dec. Marine Accidents That leads me neatly on to the 96 marine accident figures. I am pleased to say that the general trend in our accident statistics is down. This is encouraging as it indicates that the increasing efforts we have been putting into marine traffic control and reducing risk levels are beginning to have some effect. But there is still much work to be done in this area. The total number of reported marine accidents this year was 418, as compared to 423 in 1995; a slight decrease of 1.2%. The vast majority of these reported accidents are very minor bumps with no major damage or injury involved. However there are still unfortunately serious accidents between our local and river trade vessels. Last year there were 17 serious accidents, as against 23 in 95. There is a welcome decrease of nearly 3%, but any accident is one too many if somebody is injured or worse still killed. We will be happy to answer further questions on this issue later. PCWA Let me now mention the Public Cargo Working Area Management Reform situation. You will recall last year there were some public demonstrations by groups of operators against our reform proposals. Also my staff spent a considerable time explaining to both operators and legislative councillors what we intend to do and why. I am pleased to say that most legislators (but not all) seem to agree with us, as I believe, do you ladies and gentlemen of the fourth estate. I say this on the basis that you have printed very few of the comments made by the operators at their various demonstrations and press conferences. For that I thank you. I am pleased to say we are now well on the way to implementing the reforms. There remains residual opposition to them but we must proceed towards an open and fair tendering arrangement with existing operators. I expect to go to tender in the next two/three months, and have the whole new system implemented by the third quarter of this year. If you wish more details on this issue we will be pleased to answer your questions later. MARAD Strategy Study Given the heavy use of Hong Kong waters, the growth in cargo throughput, vessel movement, and the continuous and ongoing developments in the port, it has been necessary to develop a long term strategy on marine activities and the optimum use of our waters in order to maintain Hong Kong as a safe port while meeting the competing demand for commercial, tourist and recreational activities. So, Marine Department commissioned the MARAD strategy study in September 1995 to assess the present and future levels of marine navigation risk in the waters of Hong Kong; to draw up medium to long term plans to mitigate that risk and to establish a blue print for the best usage of Hong Kong waters. The study is now completed, and the final report will be presented by the end of this month. Following which I will be happy to talk to members of the media about the results. This was an important study. I believe it was the largest and most comprehensive marine risk study ever undertaken anywhere in the world. Helping Business MD has wholeheartedly embraced the Administrations initiative of "Helping Business" through streamlining procedures and increasing efficiency. We are now in the process of implementing the first series of initiatives which will specifically be aimed at local craft licensing and ocean going and local craft entry and clearance procedures. We intend to continue this initiative throughout the services we provide to the public over this next few years. Mr S Y Tsui Deputy Director has been the operational leader of this initiative and will be pleased to talk to you later if you have any questions. After July 97 Allow me now to say just a few words about my view of the shape of the Marine Department of the future. Everyone asks "what will happen after 1.7.97?" My standard answer is "the same thing as is happening before 1.7.97!" Hong Kong's maritime law and policy is autonomous under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, and my discussions with my maritime colleagues in China have confirmed that position. Hence the question of MD's future is not related to the change of sovereignty, but to the developing demands of the industry we serve and the community in which we operate. I believe we must and will become more efficient, and leaner in terms of operational costs. I believe we must reduce regulation to a minimum without compromising safety. And I believe the customer should pay for the services received. The department will continue to provide the necessary services and regulatory framework to the port efficiently and cost effectively, meeting the changing demands of Hong Kong's maritime community and those of the pearl river delta. Ladies and gentlemen, please let us discuss any marine issues you wish to raise. Today's agenda is now in your hands. 13 January, 1997 |
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